About Me
Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and now a French citizen after over 25 years living in France, I have had the privilege of experiencing both British and French cultures.
I got bitten by the computer bug when I was 14 years old. My first computer was an Amstrad CPC464, I still own one today, along with a small collection of computers from the late ‘80s and ‘90s. I would spend hours tapping out BASIC code, often troubleshooting and starting over until I got it right.
In 1990, during a government training scheme, I passed several RSA exams, including Word Processing, Typing Skills, and Computer Literacy. This sparked my interest in formal education in computing, leading me to take evening classes at my local college in Plymouth, where I earned a City and Guilds Information Technology certification in 1991.
Eager to continue my journey, I joined the college full-time and completed a National Diploma in Computer Studies before pursuing a BSc (Hons) in Computing and Informatics at Plymouth University.
My professional career started with Complete Business Solutions (CBSI) in London, where I worked as an Analyst, helping to address the Year 2000 issue. Later that year, I joined DBMD Intelligency in Bicester, England, as a Trainee Operations Executive in Database Management, focusing on MS Access databases.
In 1999, I moved to France having met my future wife during my industrial placement year in Germany. I began working at SEVME Informatique in Aubagne as an Analyst Programmer, specialising in corrective and evolutionary maintenance of a SCADA system. My work included developing in Visual C++ and MS Access, installing and training staff on the Windows-based application onsite at Gas de France (GDF) and water company offices, and translating technical documents from French to English.
After a period of redundancy, I spent six months as an Analyst Programmer at CISIA Ingénierie, working in Visual C++ before deciding to branch out on my own. I started my own business, Easy Informatic, hence the domain name of this site, providing computer repair, software and hardware installation, and training to the general public and small businesses. One of my most notable clients during this time was the 2CV Méhari Club Cassis, a company I eventually joined full-time.
For nearly 19 years, first as a subcontractor and later as an employee, I worked with the 2CV Méhari Club Cassis in Cassis, France. My role evolved over time and included photographing and processing over 5,000 product references for their catalogues and e-commerce website, www.mehariclub.com. I also created video content, photos, technical data sheets, and maintained content for several WordPress sites. I managed relationships with international distributors and social media content for the brand. Additionally, I translated technical documents, product notices, and web content.
In my spare time, I developed a vehicle configurator, a benchmarking tool, and a mobile app to improve the customer experience.
While I'm waiting to write the next chapter in my career, I'm actively training in web development through online courses offered by Free Code Camp and App Brewery. This approach allows me to update my programming skills while exploring a stimulating and rewarding field, which is a natural extension of my career path.
